Guiao not sure of bringing back Blatche

Yeng Guiao is facing a dilemma. The Gilas Pilipinas coach is contemplating whether or not they should bring naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche back given the abundance of big men for the upcoming fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Guiao said Blatche's status will be part of Tuesday's agenda in the special meeting where he will present his program and reveal the potential 20-man pool to the PBA Board of Governors. He explained that he is seriously considering San Miguel rookie Christian Standhardinger as the naturalized player for the fifth window because of how impressive he played in his previous stint.

"He's a proven factor from the Asian Games to the FIBA window recently. He was the most consistent player for the team," Guiao said of Standhardinger, who had a 30-point12-rebound output in Gilas' loss to Iran in Tehran in September.

"I think if you're asking about his performance or usefulness, it's a given, and that is why we have a dilemma today if we will still need Blatche because Christian played very well for us."

Guiao also expects June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter to bring frontcourt depth and solid inside presence when the national team hosts Kazakhstan on November 30 and powerhouse Iran on December 3. Blatche will be available to play for Gilas in the Iran game since he was only banned for three games for his involvement in the Philippines Australia brawl in July.

Fajardo and Slaughter failed to join the national team in their fourth window matches against Iran and Qatar due to injuries. But with both back in action, the pair will be adding size and additional inside weapons for Gilas.

"With June Mar and Greg and Japeth (Aguilar), and either Christian or Andray, I feel we already have a solution (to match Iran's size), which was not the case the last time we faced them," he explained.

Guiao also said TNT players Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo and Troy Rosario are expected to join the team when they begin their practices in November.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao and the PBA are set to meet on November 6 to discuss the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Guiao will present his program to the PBA Board of Governors in the special meeting where he is also expected to name his 20-man pool for the national team's back-to-back home games on November 30 and December 3.

Gilas will face Kazakhstan first before taking on Iran at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Guiao can now tap naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, and Troy Rosario, who have served out their suspensions by FIBA. The four was slapped with the penalty for their part in the brawl that erupted during the Australia-Gilas game at the Philippine Arena.

Reigning four-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and Ginebra's Greg Slaughter, who have recovered from their respective injuries, are also likely to be included in the pool.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial assured the league is giving its all-out support to the national team.